Wine Spectator-June 2009
96 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills "Select Smoke"Sea Smoke Vineyard
Offers amazing purity of dark berry, plum, blueberry, and blackberry fruit. Full-bodied, complex and concentrated, yet the flavors dance on the palate, joined by a splash of spicy, toasty oak, with a superlong finish. Drink now through 2014.-JL

94 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Sea Smoke Vineyard
Beautifully crafted, with pure, rich, supple and layered dark berry fruit built around blueberry, blackberry and huckleberry flavors that hold their focus, ending with a delicate, detailed finish. Drink now through 2014-J.L

2006 Cuvee Jeanne Marie Proprietary Red
Wine Advocate Rating: Rating: 92 points (June 2008)
From: Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2008 - 2013

“The stunning, sexy 2006 Cuvee Jeanne-Marie (a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre) offers up gorgeous aromas of roasted Provencal herbs, ground pepper, sweet, smoky game and meat, and copious quantities of black cherries and black currants. The expressive aromatics are followed by a pure, lush, succulent, hedonistic, medium to full-bodied red with considerable complexity, purity, and depth. Drink this beauty over the next 4-5 years.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!”
— Robert Parker

2006 Syrah - Tinaquaic Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: Rating: 92 points (June 2008)
From: Santa Maria Valley Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California , USA
Drink: 2008 - 2016

“The inky/ruby/purple-hued 2006 Syrah Tinaquaic Vineyard behaves like a Santa Maria Syrah rather than a $500 bottle of Cote Rotie or $300 bottle of Hermitage. It exhibits classic Syrah characteristics of camphor, smoked herbs, sweet bacon fat, and creme de cassis. Broad, rich, flavorful, and deep, it is only slightly less complex than its siblings. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!"
— Robert Parker

2006 Syrah - Toasted Rope
Wine Advocate Rating: Rating: 95 points (June 2008)
From: Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2008 - 2015

“Even more brilliant is the Cote Rotie look-alike, the 2006 Syrah Toasted Rope. A blend of 85% Syrah and a whopping 15% Viognier (an hommage to Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Mouline?), it reveals exotic lychee nut and honeysuckle characteristics interwoven with notions of sweet cassis, kirsch, and licorice. Medium to full-bodied with fabulous concentration, a velvety, voluptuous texture, and superb length, this is an amazing effort from the Santa Ynez Valley. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!”
— Robert Parker

2006 Syrah - Williamson Dore Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: Rating: 93 points (June 2008)
From: Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2008 - 2016

“The 2006 Syrah Williamson-Dore Vineyard is reminiscent of a northern Rhone Hermitage. Aromas of black olives, crushed rocks, creme de cassis, and graphite are present in this full-bodied, dense, chewy, concentrated Syrah. With excellent acidity, sweet tannin, and a stunning finish, it should provide immense pleasure over the next 7-8 years.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!”
— Robert Parker

Bourghound.com, October 2008
91 Points- 2006 Pinot Noir- Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block 8
A notably ripe and seductively spicy nose that offers hints of Pinot Noir liqueur merges into rich and equally ripe big-bodied flavors that are utterly delicious and as long as the wine is kept at proper serving temperature, it carries its alcohol effortlessly. Note that there are moderately firm tannis that will permit this to age over the medium-term though it's awfully pretty right now. In sum, if you enjoy big-bodied pinots, this is a good choice because it doesn't lack for a certain elegance.

Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2008 issue
Rating: 92 points---2006 Foxen Cuvee Jeanne Marie-Williamson Doré Vineyard  
Tasted in May, this Grenache-based Rhone blend was still overwhelmingly vibrant and fresh in grapey, priimary fruit raspberry, cherry and blackberry flavors. It's appealing, but really needs some time to settle down and mellow, so the fruit and oak can mesh together. By the summer of 2009, it should be a wonderful wine, retaining its balanced lushness through at least 2012.-S.H

 Rating: 91 points --2006 Foxen Pinot Noir, Sea Smoke Vineyard                      
Winemaker Bill Wathen helped found this vineyard, and he understands it as well as anyone. The wine's alcohol is high, giving it a fat, glyceriney mouthfeel as well as a bit of heat. But there's no denying the opulence of the blackberry, cherry and currant flavors, and the finish is thoroughly dry. Drink this powerful wine with game, broiled steak or grilled lamb.-S.H

Rating: 90 points --2006 Foxen Pinot Noir,  Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 
A young, complex Pinot that's not revealing much now, wrapped as it is in firm tannins. The flavors of primary fruit cherries and raspberries have a lifesaver candy sweetness, and acidity is crisp and savory. In predicting the future of this wine, you have to take into account its vineyard. Decades of experience prove that a young S&B Pinot Noir as balanced as this one needs a good 4-6 years to begin to come around. **Cellar Selection**-S.H
                                

2007 Foxen Chardonnay-Tinaquic Vineyard
94 Points-*Editors Choice*- Wine Enthusiast, December 2008 Best of Year issue- #20 in Top 100 wines of the year.
This bottling by veteran Foxen offers one of the starkest, most appealing choices available in California Chardonnay. Far from a superripe, buttery monster, it's a lean, elegant machine. With vibrant acidity and a mineral undergirding, it offers rich flavors of citrus fruits and rind and yeasty, Champagne-like lees.

2007 Foxen Chardonnay- Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block UU                       
Rating: 92 points

2004 Pinot Noir - Sea Smoke Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: Rating: 96 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2016

“From the Santa Rita Hills appellation, the 2004 Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard’s ruby/purple color as well as its intense, glorious perfume of sweet kirsch, black currants, flowers, and underbrush suggest a wine built for the long haul. Tremendous opulence, richness, and intensity in addition to a dazzling finish with great flavor precision emerge from this riveting Pinot Noir. One of the finest Central Coast Pinots I have ever tasted, it can be consumed over the next decade. As the back label says, this wine was bottled “delicately ... without fining or filtration.” Bravo to proprietors and winemakers Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.”
— Robert Parker

Wine Spectator: 94 Points (August 2006)
"Vibrant blueberry and wild berry flavors are joined by rich toasty oak, making it a near perfect marriage of ripe fruit and wood. Supple, balanced and concentrated, this gains momentum, with a long, refreshing aftertaste. Drink now through 2009."
–Jim Laube

2004 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8
Wine Advocate Rating: 93 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2013

“Dramatic is the stunning 2004 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block Eight. One of the finest Bien Nacido examples I have ever tasted. Offering up notes of licorice, sweet black cherries, herbs, currants, and spice, this full-bodied, powerful yet delicate, intense yet finesse-filled beauty is stunningly rich, layered, and complex. It should drink well for 5-7 years. As the back label says, this wine was bottled “delicately ... without fining or filtration.” Bravo to proprietors and winemakers Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.”
— Robert Parker

Wine Spectator: 92 Points (August 2006)
"Wonderful purity of flavor. Rich raspberry, wild berry, cedar and anise, with hints of tobacco that are dense and concentrated. Finishes with a firm burst of flavor and rich, loamy tannins. Best from 2007 through 2011."
–Jim Laube

2004 Pinot Noir - Julia's Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: 92 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2010

“The 2004 Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard offers sweet black cherry and currant fruit, a broad, expansive palate, and tremendous opulence as well as length. It is a hedonistic, authentic tasting, full-bodied, velvety-textured Pinot to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. As the back label says, this wine was bottled “delicately ... without fining or filtration.” Bravo to proprietors and winemakers Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.”
— Robert Parker

2004 Syrah - Williamson Doré Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: 92 point (August 2006)
From: Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2016

“The inky/blue/purple-hued 2004 Syrah Williamson Doré Vineyard boasts classic southern France-like notes of roasted herbs, sweet and sour cherries, blackberries, loamy soil, pepper, and incense. It is full-bodied and superbly concentrated, with great intensity, moderately high tannin, and enough glycerin, flavor, and fruit to back up its impressive structure. It should drink well for a decade or more.”
— Robert Parker

2003 Syrah - Williamson Doré Vineyard
Wine Spectator: 92 Points – Spectator Selections – Highly Recommended (March 2006)
Santa Ynez Valley
“Ultrarich, almost syrupy, with dense, plush, smoky currant, blackberry, wild berry and exotic spices and game meat scents. Tightly focused, with a long, deep, rich finish and ripe, supple tannins, ending with a dash of cola. Drink now through 2009.”
–Jim Laube

2004 Cuvee Jeanne Marie - Williamson Doré Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: 90 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2012

“The most forward and lush offering here is the 2004 Cuvee Jeanne Marie, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Sweet dark cherries interwoven with notes of white chocolate, earth, and pepper emerge from this full-bodied wine. Exhibiting outstanding purity of fruit as well as sweet tannin and a broad, savory, nicely textured and nuanced mid-palate and finish, this long, authoritative red can be drunk now and over the next 5-6 years.”
— Robert Parker

2003 Cuvée Jeanne Marie
Wine Spectator: 89 Points (March 2006)
“Floral white pepper and bay leave flavors join ripe berry, plum and cola notes in this tightly wound Syrah. It opens up on the finish and, despite its tannic strength, keeps offering mineral, spice and berry flavors. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Drink now through 2009.”
–Jim Laube

2004 Chenin Blanc Old Vines Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: 89 points (December 2006)
From: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-208:

“I realize these this wine is not from California’s north coast, but it is worthy of inclusion. The 2004 Chenin Blanc Old Vines Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard possesses a spring garden, melon, and honeysuckle-scented nose, pure fruit, no evidence of wood, medium body, and a delicious, dry finish. Enjoy this tasty, personality-filled white over the next 1-2 years.”
— Robert Parker

2003 Syrah - Tinaquaic Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Wine Spectator: 92 points (March 2006)
“Delivers a tight, rich, vibrant beam of pepper, wild berry, sage, cumin and exotic spices in a sharply focused style. The texture turns smooth and polished, ending with a long, complex aftertaste that keeps repeating the delicious fruit and spice flavors. Drink now through 2009.”
–Jim Laube

These Pinot Noirs Live Up to the Hype
by Robert Parker
Download Full Article PDF

 Thanks to the 2004 movie Sideways, pinot noir has become absurdly popular. Truth be told, most of this wine, whether domestic or imported, is of little interest and often overpriced. The following wineries' pinot noirs, however, display the true glories of this grape. All are from the 2004 vintage in California's Santa Rita Hills, the wine country northwest of Santa Barbara where the film takes place.

Foxen Vineyard Sea Smoke Vineyard
96 points. This pinot noir's ruby/purple color and its intense, glorious perfume of sweet kirsch, black currants, flowers, and underbrush suggest a wine built for the long haul. Tremendous opulence, richness, and intensity in addition to a dazzling finish with great flavor precision result in one of the finest Central Coast pinot noirs I have ever tasted. It can be enjoyed over the next decade. $64

Are We Hip Yet?
by Matt Kramer

  “...So I began to think about what could be—really, what should be—hip for 2006. For example, I was reminded, yet again, of the overlooked goodness, even greatness, of Cabernet Franc when I cracked open my last bottle of Foxen winery's Cabernet Franc Tinaquaic Vineyard 1994 from the Santa Maria Valley .

Foxen has just 1 ½ acres of Cabernet Franc planted in its dry-farmed vineyard (a rarity in this universally irrigated area), largely because the demand is so small for the grape. Just 200 cases a year are made. This is a pity because the wine is spectacular; dense, lush, infused with flavors and scents of blackberry, black currant, leather and tobacco and, as the 1994 bottling proves, capable of aging beautifully. “

Winespectator.com, March 10, 2006

Santa Barbara Preview: 2004 and 2005 Futures
Pinot Noir is the hot ticket again when it comes to buying the region's wines
by James Laube

When you consider buying the latest crop of Santa Barbara County wines, think Sea Smoke. This Santa Rita Hills producer of Pinot Noir shone consistently in my most recent tastings, along with Foxen, Babcock and Badge.

For lovers of California Pinot Noir, this is the time of year to give serious thought to buying Santa Barbara futures. The annual sale of this Central Coast region's wines, starting this week, is an excellent buying opportunity, especially for securing some of the best and hardest-to-find bottlings.

Every year, Santa Barbara retailer Wine Cask screens hundreds of local wines and narrows them down to offer as futures. The full catalog is listed at www.winecask.com, and you can either order the wines online or purchase tickets to Wine Cask's public tasting on April 22. (The March 11 sale has sold out.)

This week, I wrapped up two days of blind tastings at Wine Spectator 's Napa office, where I tried 57 wines, most of them barrel samples from the 2004 and 2005 vintages. Because the wines aren't finished yet, I have given them projected ratings—with scores in ranges—based on how they showed now and my expectations of how they will rank when bottled.

If you had to remember just one Pinot Noir name for this year's sale, Sea Smoke would be it. My favorite wine, Foxen's 2004 Pinot Noir from Sea Smoke Vineyard (95–100 points on the Wine Spectator 100-point scale), was simply stunning, offering a broad, rich range of flavors, a supple, caressing texture and great length .(Release: September 2006)